9 degrees inside - is it now a false economy to not put heating on?

[blanketseverywhere]

I'm trying to get by without putting heating on. According to the smart meter, it's currently 9 degrees in the sitting room (north-facing). The house feels very cold, but if I sit in the kitchen (south-facing) in many layers, with scarf and fingerless gloves on etc, it's not unbearable for WFH. In the evening I can use blankets / hot water bottles etc while watching tv and have two duvets on the bed at night.

However, at what point will temperatures of this level start to damage the house - or me? I feel achey all the time which I think is from being 'tense' in the cold, if that makes sense. I also have a constantly red and running nose / scratchy throat although I don't really feel ill.

I'm not using the tumble dryer so drying washing inside most of the time, although do try and keep windows open for air circulation... but then that makes it colder! I don't think we have any damp but I'm worried about the house constantly being cold - is this an issue in itself?

Is it going to get to a point where it's a false economy not to put the heating on because it will possibly be doing damage to the house, or should I carry on trying to hold out if possible and just carry on layering up? I realise this probably sounds a bit daft but I really don't want to store up even bigger problems!

You haven't failed. You are ill, you are cold and you are human.

Having heating on is not a sign of weakness. Even in the survival programmes on TV the first thing they do is find a heat source.

Hope you feel better soon.

Put the heating on. A low temperature will take the chill o. If you're working from home I would recommend you stay warm. Being cold will affect your cognitive ability

Good thinking! Hopefully the summer months will mean raking it back though 🙏🏼

To be honest I'm not bothered either way. I'm actually not bothered if my account runs in debit rather than credit. Eon are happy as long as they get a regular payment and if I catch up it's a bonus 🤷🏼‍♀️

Having heating on is not a sign of weakness.

Gosh this needs repeating

We atre also trying to avoid heating but I do boost it every other day for an hour just to stop damp taking hold. De humidifiers are relatively cheap to run but expensive to buy. I would say 9 degrees is too cold and wouldn't dry your clothes. I try to keep the house at 15 to 17.
Electric blankets are also fairly cheap to buy and run.
Also look for a warm hub to work if you can. Places like libraries and community centres.

Beware of paraffin heaters, it's a wet heat, caused lots of mould in my bedroom when I used one.

A heated airer from Lakeland and a dehumidifier a.)dries clothes b.) heats the room they are in. So in my book that is 2 for the price of one!

Radio 4 Inside Health - How a cold home can affect your health.

Don’t risk your own health, take care.

I don't understand, you used to pay £14 a day to go into the office so you are saving that much per day by WFH. Why would you not use a small portion of that to work comfortably from home?
Our house, unheated, is currently about 14 degrees. The heating comes on for 5 hours a day and heats it to 16 degrees. Between the times it's on it slips back down to 14. On the weekend it needs more as we are spending more time in the living room which is large and often feels chilly. Its currently costing £7 per day for gas which is a lot just to keep it at minimal levels when the kids are home from school.

I broke when it went under 13 degrees. Realistically I think you’re better off heating one room and turning all your other radiators off rather than not switching it on at all. If you choose a warmer room and keep the door shut it will soon be snug. Beware the rest of the house becoming damp though.

This post is exactly why I

Heating is the lesser efficient way to spend your money when trying to avoid dump. You need a good dehumidifier (£150 ish) that is powerful enough for the size of your rooms and a hygrometer or a few to be able to check humidity level. Your priority should be to keep humidity levels down over heating. Heating is also more efficient if the air is dry and it will feel much more comfortable too.
We haven’t put the heating on either and DP works from home. It’s absolutely fine. There is also no running hot water and a shower is a treat every few 3-4 weeks. A wash cloth is a lot cheaper.

Posted too quickly!

This post is exactly why I hate MSE yelling everyone to 'heat the person, not the house'. I'd rather spend extra on utility bills than risk things like mould or bad health for me and my family.

9 degrees is incredibly cold!! Our house never dips below 16 degrees at the very coldest. Can you do more to heat your house? And put the heating on! Even if only for a couple hrs per day!

We’ve turned off our kitchen and hall radiator. We have the heating on on the mornings and evenings.

l think not using 2 radiators must have some impact. And we are definitely using it less.

You need to do at least 2 to 4 hours a day. To keep the house and you warm.
I understand your anxiety I have gone to pre payment meters and find them alot less stressful as I know exactly what is on there and I don't have the worry about getting bills in.
But you should have had 2 lots of £66
By now from your energy supplier either in the form of a E voucher or money paid straight In bank or off your monthly bill??
If you haven't already had them contact your supplier..
But you shouldn't be letting yourself or your home get so cold. Esp if you have children. Damp cold washing will on help mould spread around and that can be very dangerous.
Please please put the heat on.
2 hours twice aday. Won't hurt. And you will feel the benefit from it.

I think that’s the problem with a lot of people (including me) - it’s the thought that putting the heating on in itself could be the thing that causes significant financial problems…when the next winter bill comes in. I can completely relate to the OP’ worries….as I sit here under blankets, house so cold I can see my breath in front of my face 🙁

I have read the OP’s replies but not too many pages in of others… however if this helps someone, and it hasn’t been mentioned yet, there was a post on fb that came up this week, I’m sure it was a USA post, but they had read about putting up a tent inside the house and covering it with blankets and they had one in the garage packed away so tried it.

They turned the inside of the tent into a big bed for the family.. anyhow the gist of the post was to let others know how warm it remained inside the tent and how the family were sleeping so much better.

I hope this keeps someone warm tonight who is struggling…

Yes I agree about the front door curtain. I got mine in B&M (reduced) plus the rail for less than £20, and it is noticeably less cold in the house when I come downstairs first thing in the morning. The heat lost thru glass door panels is colossal.

I also got a big roll of that sticky door seal in Home Bargains for three quid and sealed round the interior doors so hopefully that might help too.

We haven’t put the heating on either and DP works from home. It’s absolutely fine. There is also no running hot water and a shower is a treat every few 3-4 weeks. A wash cloth is a lot cheaper

Why have you not got running hot water? Are you serious about a shower being a three weekly treat?

Not having the heating on when it is cold and damp is not fine. It will harm your home and health.

I’m sorry you have all this worry. I am heating my house, but only up to 19.5c maximum. Much if the day, it’s 18/18.5c. I know I can pay my bills at that though (I feel fortunate).

keeping a house very cold is likely to result in black mould (dangerous to health) forming on your walls over time. It will also cause/worsen your aches and pains. I hope you can manage to heat your home somewhat. No one should have to sit working in a hat and scarf. This country has gone to hell under the Tories 🤬

Just to give you some reassurance, the standing charge is a fixed price. It won’t increase with your bill. Can you contact your supplier and arrange to pay by DD? If would be cheaper for you if you could.

I have no idea what the temperature is in any of the rooms in this house.

Staying warm: What does an unheated room do to your body? www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63602501

my house has varied between 11 and 14 today and I haven’t been cold due to my heated throw. Hot bath, straight into thermal vest and chunky poloneck with socks and sheepskin slippers and in between cups of tea and the blanket, I wasn’t cold.

warm the body, not the room is Martin Lewis’s philosophy.

You showe once a month or so 🙀

I know you said you have a cloth wash but once a month

I’m really hoping this was a joke.